Our Patroness

The patroness of our school is St. Jadwiga The Queen, who is certainly a role model not only for our children but also for adults.

Jadwiga's childhood and Ludwik Andegaweński's succession plans

The negotiations lasted two years, only the threat of another king being elected by Polish lords prompted Elżbieta Bośniacka to send Jadwiga to Poland. The coronation ceremony for the king of Poland took place at Wawel on October 16, 1384. The archbishop of Gniezno put a crown specially prepared for her on her head (the previous insignia were taken from Poland by Ludwik Andegaweński).
The title of king, not queen, was enjoyed by Jadwiga as a full heir to the Polish throne, as her father's successor. Its position was also strengthened by the fact of its close relationship with the Piasts.

When she came to Poland, Jadwiga was still a child, she was 10 years old, she knew only the basics of the Polish language. Away from her mother, she must have felt like a stranger in a whole new environment. In addition, to her despair, the Polish lords did not approve of her engagement with Wilhelm and began to look for a suitable husband for her.

Jadwiga the king of Poland

The negotiations lasted two years, only the threat of another king being elected by Polish lords prompted Elżbieta Bośniacka to send Jadwiga to Poland. The coronation ceremony for the king of Poland took place at Wawel on October 16, 1384. The archbishop of Gniezno put a crown specially prepared for her on her head. (the previous insignia were taken from Poland by Ludwik Andegaweński).
The title of king, not queen, was enjoyed by Jadwiga as a full heir to the Polish throne, as his father's successor. Its position was also strengthened by the fact of its close relationship with the Piasts.

Marriage with Władysław Jagiełło

Due to the minority of Jadwiga, the rulers of Małopolska ruled on her behalf. It was they who decided to annul the engagement with the Austrian prince, and they negotiated the choice of her future spouse. Wilhelm did not give up Jadwiga's hand so easily, he came to Krakow and tried to bring about the marriage. Jadwiga was also favorable to these plans. There was even an incident when a young, desperate queen began to cut the gate at Wawel in order to reunite with her fiancé. However, the gentlemen from Krakow prevented these efforts and completed the interview with Jadwiga's candidate - Lithuanian prince Władysław Jagiełło. It was agreed that in return for his marriage to Queen Jadwiga, he would baptize his family and country, pay compensation for a broken engagement, and, upon assuming the throne, regain the lost lands for Poland. All these obligations were confirmed by the act of the union signed in Kreva in 1385.

The only thing left to do was to convince Jadwiga herself to marry Władysław Jagiełło. For a long time the young ruler refused to marry a much older man, a pagan in addition. When Jagiełło's retinue was approaching Kraków, she sent a trusted courtier - Zawisza from Oleśnica - to report to her what the Lithuanian prince looked like. Reassured by his relationship, she finally succumbed to the persuasions of the lords of Lesser Poland and in February 1386 the royal couple were married.

Co-government of Jadwiga and Władysław Jagiełło

Władysław Jagiełło, the elected and crowned king, had full power in his hand, but because Jadwiga was the heir to the Polish throne, sometimes they had to confirm the most important state acts. In the initial period of co-rule, Jadwiga was still a child, so her participation in politics was only symbolic. In 1387, she headed an expedition to Ruthenia Halicka in order to restore this area to Poland. With time, she undertook more and more political tasks: she entered into correspondence with the Teutonic Knights, brought about an agreement between Władysław Jagiełło and his cousin Vytautas, and played a significant role in negotiations with her brother-in-law - Sigismund of Luxemburg.

Jadwiga had her own court and an office independent of the king. She led a rich court life. She willingly surrounded herself with scholars, conducted exquisite conversations, supported musicians, but also often rode horses and hunted. She received numerous delegations of foreign dignitaries and diplomats.